We will be in Zurich next week for 2 nights - I would love to go to a restaurant that specializes in Swiss food? Any recommendations? Any speciality food besides fondue & chocolate

Thanks!

Most restaurants serve international fare, but two come to mind as fitting your criteria. One is Zeughauskeller on Paradeplatz (just off Bahnhofstrasse about midway between the bahnhof and the lake) that has many Swiss specialities and is a scenic destination in itself. The other is Veltliner Keller near St. Peter's Church. It is so inconspicious that it is hard to find, although at the corner of a main Old Town thoroughfare, but it is cozy and authentic. I always get the Zurich speciality, sliced veal in cream sauce with rösti (I can't think of the German name for the meat at the moment, but rösti are potatoes). Zeughauskeller is inexpensive, relatively speaking. Veltliner Keller is expensive.

Coffee and snacks in a Zurich tearoom is certainly a Zurich tradition that you might consider and I can recommend three tearooms. They are Sprüngli at Paradeplatz (upstairs), Honolds (on the street behind Bucherer [on Bahnhofstrasse]), and Cafe Schober across the river on Napfgasse. ZZ

Zürcher Geschnetztles und Rösti

Perhaps the most typical place is Restaurant Alpenrose, Fabrikstrasse 12. Very atmospheric and local food (e.g. fish from Lake Zürich). Good selection of Swiss wines (the Heida Gletscherwein - glacier wine). Inexpensive - good value for money.

Another, more upscale option is Kaufleuten, but still on a moderate price level. This is the place to be for a business lunch. Kaufleuten is also the home of a popular bar and nightclub.

BTW, the most traditional of all Zürich restaurants is the Kronenhalle - however too touristy IMO and too low in quality. I would avoid it.

The restaurants mentioned above serve traditional Swiss <i>German</i> food and while perfectly good, Switzerland also has a French and Italian region and has representative restaurants in Zurich. So you don’t just have to stick with Swiss German.

I used to live in Zurich and have posted a restaurant suggestion at “Dining in Zurich” at http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...uggestions.cfm (Note that the Zimmerleuten guild hall had a fire last year and I believe it is still closed, along with the Kuferstbuli which I list below it. Check with your hotel.) You might consider Dézaley, which is French/Valais cooking.

Thanks Cicerone - you have previously helped me with Hong Kong & Bali. Your knowledge is much appreciated!